Is being grateful a good way to spend your day? (part I)

Well, the first time I remember coming across the idea of gratefulness being more effective than praying was I believe, in Neale Donald Walsch’s Conversation with God book series. He was basically saying that while praying for something implies a lack, being grateful means that you already acknowledge that what you wish for in your life IS (even if it is not necessarily in the present moment – but it’s in an intentional form). This claim obviously implies a non-linear approach on time and quite a big amount of trust – whether self-trust or trust in the universe, you name it!

photo source: the worldwideweb

Now, this type of view over gratefulness is shared by other personal development superstar authors of the moment, such as Eckhart Tolle, Louise Hay etc.. And they are nothing but right! What I’ve done is to put their advice into practice: every night, laying in my bed just before I fall asleep I count my blessings of the day and name the things I am grateful for in that moment! From small to big! This practice has helped me stay more in the now and enjoy what I have and what is happening to me right now, instead of focusing on anything that I believe I lack! And being in the eternal now… that’s the true happiness! Because in the eternal moment of now, there is nothing that you lack! What you believe you “lack” are nothing else but your anxieties over what the future has or hasn’t in store for you…

Now, for those of you who prefer looking for scientific proof (mainly mainstream science) when choosing their habits for a happy life, a neuroscience researcher has pointed out the practice of gratitude as being among these. To sum it all up, these are his findings:

1. The most important question to ask when you feel down: what I am grateful for?

Because just the practice of gratitude – no matter if you find anything to feel grateful for – fuels a series of bio-chemical reactions that produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that makes you feel happy!

photo source: somewhere on the worldwideweb

2. Label negative feelings

It’s the old-school labeling theory that grants you a type of control over the things that you name, because what you name, becomes known to you! So name it to tame it!

3. Make that decision

Whenever you make a decision, your brain feels you have control that ultimately leads to reducing stress.

4. Touch people

Touching is really powerful! So don’t hesitate to hug people you care about everyday! Better yet, give yourself a massage once in a while! There is all the scientific proof to support the importance of touch in our everyday interactions!

So, what other proof do you need? Stay grateful, stay in the now… therefore the name of my blog: grateful living now! 😀 even if s&h*it hits the fan! 😀 This too shall pass… Everything is impermanent!